toxic chemicals

Reduce your chemical footprint: Best Toxics Release Inventory reporting practices for 2021

March 24, 2021

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2019 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis earlier this year, and companies across the nation are actively working to reduce their chemical footprint. Despite a minor increase in the Pacific Southwest Region, the overall release of TRI chemicals was down by 9 percent in 2019.

occupational carcinogens, fear of cancer

Managing fear of carcinogens

Emotional distress can burden your workplace

Dan Markiewicz MS, CIH, CSP, RMP

March 15, 2019

In 2019, 1,762,450 new cancer cases and 606,880 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States1. It is statistically improbable for someone in America not to know someone close who had or has cancer.

From NIOSH: Chemical exposure in healthcare differs by task and product

January 18, 2019

Cleaning and disinfecting products are complex mixtures of chemicals that can irritate the skin. Evidence also shows that exposure to these products may increase the risk of work-related asthma among healthcare workers. But the effects of specific chemicals remain unclear. Now, a NIOSH study published in the journal Annals of Work Exposures and Health has added to our understanding by linking products and tasks to specific exposures.

Few emergency responders used respirators at toxic gas exposure scene

15 sought medical treatment

January 17, 2019

Most of the emergency responders dispatched to a serious incident involving a toxic gas exposure did not use required respirators for breathing protection, according to a NIOSH-funded investigation published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The gas, phosphine, forms when pesticides containing aluminum phosphide mix with water.

Control refrigerant gas in HVAC mechanical equipment rooms

Detecting & reducing Toxic Leaks

Natalie Silva

May 31, 2018

The safety industry has worked diligently over the past decade to improve the effectiveness of refrigerant, toxic and combustible gas sensors. The latest digital technologies have been employed at the sensor and systems levels to add greater intelligence and communications capabilities.

Cover Story

8 practices for managing chemical exposures

May 9, 2018

If there’s no occupational exposure limit (OEL) listed for a chemical ingredient or byproduct in a SDS, you can conduct an online search for the chemical by CAS number and include the qualifier DNEL — derived no effect levels. CAS is required on an SDS, DNEL is not.

A FairWarning story

The toxic chemical whack-a-mole game

Lynne Peeples

January 9, 2018

When her black cat rapidly dropped from a healthy 14 pounds to a skeletal five pounds, it was natural for Arlene Blum to investigate whether a toxic chemical in her home might be to blame. The veterinarian’s diagnosis raised that possibility, and Blum had expertise in the harm that chemicals can cause.

EPA moves forward with TSCA chem reform

November 30, 2016

The EPA has announced the first ten chemicals it will evaluate for potential risks to human health and the environment under TSCA reform.

TSCA reform: A milestone to protect our health from dangerous chemicals

Gina McCarthy

November 4, 2016

President Obama signed a bipartisan bill to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the first major update to an environmental statute in 20 years. That’s great news for the environment and for the health of all Americans.

New ventilation standards for NY nail salons take effect

October 12, 2016

Nail salons throughout New York state must supply enough fresh outdoor air for its patrons and workers to remove air contaminants – and send the chemicals, vapors and fumes outdoors, under new ventilation regulations now in effect in the state. Salon owners must ensure that the dangerous air is not recirculated back into the building.